Turkey Day

It was really nice spending Thanksgiving with my family in Alabama this year. We were able to see ALL of my family. Even though there aren't the many of us, we are pretty spread out - coming from Florida, Minnesota, and Michigan. It was good to get everyone together for the second time this year though. (Everyone, except for my grandmother, had been up for Ben's graduation in June.) There aren't that many of us. Here's the rundown. My Mom is an only child and her father is still in amazing shape for his 86 years young. My Dad has one brother, who has a wife and no children, and a mother, who is also running pretty strong and sassy in her 80's too. Then, I have a younger sister who isn't even dating currently. So, for those that are counting, that comes to 11 people in my extended family, including Ben, me, and the kids. Not so big, huh? Compared to Ben's family, it is kinda laughable. His family is so huge!! Just in his immediate family is 10 people and then we starting counting his parents parents, siblings, and their children (and grandchildren) and you are talking almost 60 people! Amazing... it was definitely a culture shock when I went to the first family reunion. [Man, that was quite a tangent.] Anywho...

All 11 members of my family

So, since the last time I've been down to my parents house, they have finished a "bonus" room over the garage that was absolutely perfect for Ben, the kids, and I. It allowed us a space to get away to and put the kids down for naps and bedtimes that was quiet. It also allowed us a space to be loud in the morning where we didn't disturb everyone else that was sleeping. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

When my parents moved into their "retirement house", I think they never expected to have my grandmother and grandfather moving onto their road too. Now they have one living on either side of them (one right next door and the other a few houses down). They seem to handle living close together fairly well though. I think they get together about once a week for dinner. My Mom has said that it is nice to have them close for when they need to get to them quick though (i.e., my grandfather has needed to go to the hospital 3 times within the last 6 months). Truly, it makes it much easier for us, because when we want to see family, most times we can just fly to Alabama and get to see everyone. I'm glad we were able to get down to see them and have them see us. It made the trip all that much better. It is sad to say, but at their age, you just don't know when it will be the last time that we will be able to hug their necks and say "I love you". I tried to let them both have some quality time with their only great-grandchildren too. I hope that I will be able to take them back down this summer too.

This is my aunt walking us out after visiting my grandmother's house.

All and all, Thanksgiving was a wonderful time of rest, food, family, and more food. The kids were amazing on the flights down and back. Madelyn was very interested in the safety card on one of the flights back. She kept herself and her daddy entertained for at least 45 minutes looking at the pictures and asking "what are they doing here?" It was very cute. Greyson has learned to smile and get smiles back from just about anybody, even the stoic businessmen. Yet, he still VERY much a momma's boy. He isn't really interested in leaving my arms. To tell you the truth, I enjoy it most of the time...

Oh yeah, an update on the laptop addiction. Soon after my previous post, Ben and I decided to buy a laptop as a big 9th anniversary and Christmas present to each other. So, really no withdrawl ensued. Although, I did go buy some swedish fish anyway.

Laptop Addiction

You know what is sad? I'm addicted to the laptop that I use for work. And since Tuesday is my last day of work, I have to turn it in.... I don't know what to do. I know that I'm going to go through laptop withdrawl and may need to use lots of swedish fish and Dr. Pepper to medicate my symptoms. I am already trying to figure out a way to find/buy a laptop to use. I hope I can find one soon before I have a complete mental breakdown! Seriously, it isn't that bad, but it is close. :)

SAHM: Coming soon!

Well, after talking about it for over three years, I have finally taken the plunge! I have put in my two-weeks notice at work and won't be returning to my three-day-a-week office grind after Thanksgiving. As I look back on these last three years, it has been an interesting ride. There are times where I wanted to stay home so much that I could *taste it*! And there were other times where I couldn't even see myself considering it (ex: when Madelyn was at the peak of being "two":P ). But when I took 3 weeks off recently, I intentionly did it to "try on" being a stay-at-home mom (or SAHM, as I have learned). The three weeks had its challenges, but overall it was wonderful! I loved being with my children and seeing them through the WHOLE week. I know that to some it seems like there can't be that much difference in how I relate to them two weekdays vs. five weekdays, but I have discovered that, at least in my family, *it does*! They have both grown closer to me, and I don't think it is in an abnormal sort way. I didn't like that when I was home with them 2 days out of the week, I was mostly doing chores to keep up. When I'm home with them full-time, I get to spread out the chores and have more fun with them. For me, it just comes down to - I desire to stay home with them and I can, so why wouldn't I?

Now, for the truth about how I feel about this. Don't get me wrong! I'm excited! But there is the part of me that kept me from doing this for a long time. I'm scared that I'm not going to do a good job, that I'm not going to like it, that I'm gonna miss the professional interaction. I still have these fears, but after the three weeks off, I just figured out that the trade-off for working part-time wasn't worth it anymore for my family. I enjoy the extended interaction with my children, the ability to plan extraordinary things or to be able to just stick around home if we want. Work will always be there, and I may go back to being engineer one day, but for right now, my kids and my home get my full attention.

Happy 1st Birthday, Greyson!

Greyson's birthday was great! We all woke him up with his birthday balloon (becoming a tradition at our house). He was very excited about his balloon too! Dad unfortunately had to go to work but Madelyn and I were able to spend the day with him.

After eating breakfast, we got dressed in our Halloween costumes for the day. Madelyn was a princess, Greyson was a monkey, and I borrowed a pair of Madelyn's bunny ear and drew whiskers on my cheeks to be a rabbit. Storytime at the library was fun with all the kids and some of the adults in their costumes checking each other out as the librarian read a few cute Halloweenish stories. the fun started again after Dad got home. That is when we opened Greyson's presents and then went out trick-or-treating to the immediate houses around ours. Greyson's loved most of his presents, even the Tickle-Me-Elmo, at least until it started flailing it arms and legs and then he got scared. We put that little tab back in that keeps it in demo mode. He likes it better that way!

Trick-or-treating was fun too. Madelyn kept saying "trick-a-trick-a-treat" and we would laugh everytime. Then she would look at us like, "What?" She was the prettiest princess tho. She loved the idea of the neighbors giving her candy and was sad to hear that they only did it one this one night of the year.

We celebrated Greyson's brthday with a party a couple nights after his actual birthday. We invited a few people over and made dinner and cupcakes. As you can see below, I think Greyson was a little freaked out by the fire on the big 1 candle that we put down in front of him. I had been practicing blowing with him all day, so he actually did help blow it out though!

Greyson had a blast eating/playing with his cupcakes! I think he may have eaten to much dinner tho, because he didn't eat much and ended up playing more with his cupcakes. He liked smearing it around until he got some of the frosting in his eye!! So into the tub he went to get all washed up. We really did have a lot of fun watching this little boy loving life!! Thank you, God, for such a loving, wonderful, gentle-spirited little boy!!

New Pictures!

There are new pictures out on Webshots for you to enjoy! I have completely caught up, which means there are pictures of September and October AND trips to the State Fair, the MN Zoo, the collapsed 35W Bridge, and then, of course, Greyson's First Birthday (and Halloween). Enjoy! A post on Greyson's birthday is under construction!